Twin brothers drug dealing trial postponed in Macomb County

By GORDON WILCZYNSKI

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The scheduled sentencing of twin brothers charged with selling illegal drugs from a condominium complex in Clinton Township near Chippewa Valley High School was postponed on Tuesday by Macomb County Circuit Judge James Biernat Jr.

The judge said in court he delayed the sentencing of Marco and Mario Henton so it could coincide with the June 18 sentencing of their grandmother, Diane Henton, 67, who was convicted earlier this month of maintaining a drug house.

The Hentons, according to Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Deena Keller, admitted selling drugs in Detroit since they were 12 years old.

They told police they came to Clinton Township to sell drugs to make it easier for their clients who were afraid of driving to Seven Mile and Gratiot Avenue in Detroit, Keller said.

The brothers, through their attorney, did not object to the delay. Keller said according to state sentencing guidelines the suspects can be sentenced anywhere from two to 20 years for selling heroin within 1,000 feet of a school.

The Hentons pleaded guilty to avoid going to trial on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver heroin.

Keller said she expects Biernat to sentence the two to years in prison. Keller noted her boss, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith, maintains a tough stance on drug peddlers,

"We would like to see them in prison as long as possible," Keller said. "We didn't offer any deals. We made them plead straight up."

Coincidentally, both Keller and Smith graduated from Chippewa Valley High School, located across the street from where the Henton brothers admitted selling heroin. Keller said as far as she knows and according to Clinton Township police reports none of the young people who were buying heroin from the Hentons were students at Chippewa Valley.

"They were selling a lot of heroin," Keller said. "It was terrifying."